Presenting Michael Fassbender as a young, handsome and salacious lawyer who dares to get in way over his pretty little head in the drug-trafficking industry, with Brad Pitt as a lone sense-talker — perhaps offering a second layer to the film title onion here — who knows just how dangerous and seedy the biz is. There are some tricksy women in the mix portrayed by the especially sultry Cameron Diaz and Penelope Cruz, along with Javier Bardem sporting even weirder hair than he had in his last McCarthy matching ("No Country for Old Men," for which he won the Best Supporting Oscar). And clearly not a one of 'em, save maybe for Pitt's single-named Westray who does pretty much all the talking in the teaser anyway, is even slightly redeemable. Especially Fassbender's titular character. C'mon, check out that expression.

That's a man who is very, very okay with being bad.

The trailer opens with a slivered moment which might ring familiar to those who read the vicious script adaptation sample McCarthy debuted at The New Yorker earlier this month. As was written, with zero dialogue in the excerpt (which obviously gives director Ridley Scott and his all-star cast here ample creative licensure), the violence is at a fever pitch, but still the moods are as stoic and mysterious as you might well expect from the behind-camera talent involved here.

Expectations for this one are gonna be pretty high, and it looks like this ensemble's ready to deliver something special when "The Counselor" opens in the U.S. on Oct. 25.

They say that if you play with fire, you're going to get burned. Just ask the Greek god Prometheus. He played with fire and got burned to the tune of an eternity of birds eating his innards. Some might say there's an object lesson in that.

But Ridley Scott is apparently not one of those people, because according to Variety, the legendary director is proceeding full speed ahead with "Prometheus 2" despite widespread critical derision and fan disappointment with last year's "Prometheus."

At least he'll be doing it with a new writer.

That's because, as we reported last month, "Lost" creator and "Prometheus" writer Damon Lindelof has decided not to return for another go-round. Instead, it seems that Scott and the suits and Fox have targeted screenwriter Jack Paglen (who is responsible for the upcoming Johnny Depp sci-fi epic "Transcendence") to pen the next installment.

Just what "Prometheus 2" will actually be about, of course, is still anyone's guess. Scott is on record as saying it will contain far less "Alien" stuff, which is probably for the best after what happened in "Prometheus." We do know that Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender are going to be back on board, though Fassbender may need to get a new body considering he finished the last film as a severed head.

Still, who knows. There's every possibility "Prometheus 2" could be better than "Prometheus," especially considering the "Alien" references often seemed forced and shoehorned in to what otherwise might have been an interesting meditation on the origins of mankind. And since meditating is one of the best ways to reach "Transcendence," this hire could end up being a match made in heaven.

Last summer's sci-fi epic "Prometheus" wasn't exactly universally loved, but one thing has to be said for it: It certainly got people talking. And that talking is still going on, as one rumor or report after another about the upcoming sequel "Prometheus 2" seems to hit the internet every other day.

So why should today be any different? This week's big "Prometheus 2" news: Damon Lindelof has explained at length to Slash Film just why "Prometheus 2" isn't "Alien," why he's not writing it and why anybody who blames him for "Prometheus 2" sucking even before it exists is probably mental.

First, some quick backstory: Bloody Disgusting recently ran a story saying that production on "Prometheus 2" had devolved into a complete mess because of the way Lindelof set up the ending to "Prometheus," which does not lead into "Alien" but rather sets up its own sequel. And since Lindelof isn't writing "Prometheus 2," nobody including director Ridley Scott knows where the story is supposed to go, so there's wringing of hands, gnashing of teeth and renting of garments all over Hollywood.

"During the creative process of Prometheus, all involved (that includes Fox and Ridley) had a strong desire for this film to launch off in its own way so that by the end, it would not connect directly to the original 'Alien,' but instead run parallel to it," Lindelof said. "Taking the strong foundation that Jon Spaihts had already written, I worked on the script to this end — and yes, during that process, Ridley did occasionally riff on what he felt might happen next as Shaw and David's Head ventured off of LV-223 in search of wherever The Engineers had come from."

So far so good, right? But according to Lindelof, a simple scheduling problem derailed the happy train to sequel town: Lindelof was committed to the Brad Bird project "Tomorrowland," while Scott had already lined up both "The Counselor" and "Child 44." As a result, Lindelof decided it would do a disservice to "Prometheus 2" if he tried to cram it in alongside all their other projects.

"As to whether Ridley and Fox are 'freaking out' about me not working on a sequel, well that's news to me," Lindelof said. "I retain awesome relationships with both. More importantly, the idea that there aren’t many, MANY writers out there capable of taking the reins is sort of ridiculous. I did not map out a trilogy and then walk when the going got tough. Anyone who says otherwise doesn’t know me and doesn’t know the truth."

It's barely been two weeks since we learned that Ridley Scott is hard at work on "Prometheus 2" and frankly, just the idea of that movie exhausts us. But it appears that the 75-year-old director has more energy than we do, because according BuzzFeed, Scott has announced that he will be teaming up with the online content provider Machinima to produce 12 all-new, all-original sci-fi short films for distribution on their YouTube channel.

In space, no on can hear you hit the "like" button.

And it won't just be sci-fi master Scott himself turning out these new viral sci-fi sensations. Scott's production company, Ridley Scott and Associates, also has ties to such top notch talents as Kathryn Bigelow, Martin Scorsese, Sam Mendes and Neil Blomkamp. And for RSA president Jules Daly, the idea of getting the world's best directors to create YouTube clips is a match made in heaven.

"There is a plethora of great talent here and sometimes they don’t have a platform for great ideas that would work well in shorts," Daly said. "It could be an established director wanting to try something new, or a brilliant young director from Sweden who surprises us. This is the future, it’s new territory we believe we must investigate."

Scott, of course, agrees.

"RSA has always been at the forefront of creating innovative work," the legendary director of "Alien" and "Blade Runner" said. "With new media transforming the way audiences connect with films and filmmakers, Machinima is a great partner for us as we embark on this new model of delivering original content to fans. It’s a tremendous opportunity for pushing the creative boundaries for both our filmmakers and the audience."

All we can say is, look out, funny cat videos. Because sh*t is about to get very, very real on YouTube.

]]>http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/ridley-scott-youtube/feed/0'Prometheus 2:' Well, It Can't Be as Disappointing as the First One, Right?http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/prometheus-2-confirmed-noomi-rapace/
http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/prometheus-2-confirmed-noomi-rapace/#commentsWed, 27 Feb 2013 20:29:59 +0000http://www.nextmovie.com/?p=167499

Fox

Hey guys, remember "Prometheus?" Last summer, everyone was totally psyched up for Ridley Scott's long-awaited prequel to his 1979 masterpiece "Alien." And then the movie actually came out and it was, like, the most confusing mess of nonsense ever put together.

Well, if you're into that sort of thing then we've got some good news for you, as star Noomi Rapace has revealed to indieWire that Scott and company are already hard at work on a script for "Prometheus 2."

Geez, the bruise on our forehead from all that slapping hasn't even healed yet!

Not that we blame Rapace for the shortcomings of "Prometheus;" she was totally cool in it, which is why we're stoked to hear Rapace say that she's up for a second go-round.

"I met Ridley in London a couple of weeks ago," Rapace said. "I would love to work with him again and I know that he would like to do another one. It's just like we need to find the right story. I hope we will."

As for the story, naturally she's not as down on Damon Lindelof's script for "Prometheus" as most people.

"It's interesting because people, most people I've talked to who see the movie, see things that are quite different," Rapace said. "Some people who see the movie many times and discover new things. There are all these religious aspects and there are very interesting conversations. And for me, if we do a second one, there are a lot of things to explore in there and to continue."

Frankly, we're most surprised to hear that there are people who have seen the movie "many times." But then again, it probably was foolish to expect storytelling clarity from Lindelof, who is best known for endlessly and randomly jerking fans around on "Lost" for six years. Lindelof, for what it's worth, won't be doing the script for "Prometheus 2," but Rapace wouldn't reveal who is working on it.

Whoever it is, though, it has to be better than the first one. Right? Right?!

This week: Before he became an actor, Channing Tatum worked as a male stripper, which inspired Steven Soderbergh to direct "Magic Mike," a behind-the-scenes look at a troupe of male strippers taking it off nightly at a club in Florida.

'Magic Mike'

Warner Bros.

Box Office: $114 millionRotten Tomatoes: 79% FreshStoryline: Inspired by Channing Tatum's real-life occupation as a male stripper, this Steven Soderbergh-directed drama (that's right — this isn't a fluffy chick flick) stars Tatum as the titular character who takes a young dancer called The Kid (Alex Pettyfer) under his wing and teaches the teenager how to shake his moneymaker, pick up women and make gobs of money. Matthew McConaughey stars as the owner of the joint where the guys — including Matt Bomer and Joe Manganiello — strip for rowdy female audiences.
Extras! The Fully Extended Edition has a "Backstage on 'Magic Mike'" featurette in which Tatum exposes the finer details of being a male stripper — from manscaping to hip shaking — and the transformation of his co-stars. The Blu-ray also has exclusive extended dance sequences.We Say: If you just want to see good-looking guys take it all off and gyrate for women's delight, read no further — this movie has the bare butts you require. But surrounding the parade of man meat is a more compelling story about having access to too much while too young and how real dreams are worth pursuing.

'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter'

Fox

Box Office: $38 millionRotten Tomatoes: 35% RottenStoryline: Based on the novel of the same name, this action-horror film imagines the 16th President of the United States as someone who — when he's not worried about emancipating the slaves — moonlights as a vampire hunter after having witnessed his mother being killed by a bloodsucker. Benjamin Walker plays Abe, Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays his wife, Dominic Cooper plays the president's mentor and Rufus Sewell heads up an order of vampires.
Extras! The five-part making-of feature includes details about the transition from book to screen, choreography, makeup effects and a peek behind the scenes. The full combo pack includes the movie in 3-D (as it was in theaters), although the 3-D effect is not one of the better conversions out there.We Say: Although the silly premise is at odds with the serious performances by everyone involved, viewers who can get beyond that might find themselves rooting for Honest Abe to rid our country of a fanged scourge.

'Seeking a Friend for the End of the World'

Focus Features

Box Office: $7 millionRotten Tomatoes: 55% RottenStoryline: When news of a world-ending asteroid hurtling towards Earth breaks, Dodge's (Steve Carell) wife ditches him and he decides to seek out his high school sweetheart before the world ends. Accompanying him on his journey is Penny (Keira Knightley), the neighbor he never really knew whose impact on his life will be greater than any space rock.
Extras! Both the DVD and Blu-ray contain several behind-the-scenes featurettes, including one in which Carell, Knightley and other stars of the film discuss what songs would make their playlist if the world were to end.We Say: There are plenty of unexpected romance movies out there, but this one has the pressure of a ticking clock, which makes matters more interesting. Carell and Knightley sell it with their charming banter and easy chemistry.

'Blade Runner' 30th Anniversary Collector's Edition Blu-ray

Warner Bros.

Box Office: $33 millionRotten Tomatoes: 92% FreshStoryline: Ridley Scott's seminal sci-fi masterpiece stars Harrison Ford as Deckard, the titular cop assigned to hunt down several rogue Replicants (synthetic humans with a four-year lifespan) that have escaped from the Off-World colonies and returned to a rain-soaked, neon-lit Los Angeles in 2019 in search of more life from their creator, Dr. Tyrell. Rutger Hauer, Daryl Hannah, Joanna Cassidy and Sean Young appear as the Tyrell Corporation-created "more human than human" beings that force Deckard to reconsider the meaning of life.Extras! This new Blu-ray edition features all four versions of the film on one seamless-branching disc and Ultraviolet digital copies for the first time. All the previous extras are included on a separate bonus disc, plus this Collector's Edition comes packaged with a new Spinner car and a 72-page art production book with never-before-seen Scott sketches, poster art and photos from the set.We Say: Although underappreciated during its initial release in 1982, "Blade Runner" has become one of the most influential science-fiction films of all time and Scott's darkly beautiful vision of a futuristic Los Angeles will still take your breath away. The movie has been on a ten-month moratorium from home video, but Warner Bros. has brought it back with an out-of-this-world new package that "you people wouldn't believe."

This week: Years after directing the sci-fi masterpieces "Alien" and "Blade Runner," Ridley Scott returns to science fiction with the harrowing and ambitious "Alien" prequel "Prometheus" with Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, Guy Pearce and Michael Fassbender.

Also new this week is the movie-musical "Rock of Ages," the Edgar Allan Poe-themed mystery thriller "The Raven," and the Blu-ray debuts of "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial," "Little Shop of Horrors" and "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?"

'Prometheus'

20th Century Fox

Box Office: $126 millionRotten Tomatoes: 73% FreshStoryline: Ridley Scott returns to the sci-fi realm with this ambitious quasi-prequel to "Alien" about a group of explorers that set out to a distant planet to learn more about and possibly confront the creators of mankind, a super race known as the Engineers. Prometheus crew members include scientist Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace), Weyland Corporation monitor Elizabeth Shaw (Charlize Theron), Weyland founder Peter Weyland (Guy Pearce) and the fastidious android David (Michael Fassbender).
Extras! Available on DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D, "Prometheus" is a mind-teasing movie that begs you to explore its seven hours of illuminating bonus features such as deleted and alternate scenes, plus access to "The Peter Weyland Files" and a commentary track by Scott.We Say: This stunning, thinking-man's sci-fi spectacle is an awe to behold, so seek out the biggest HDTV screen (preferably a 3-D one) you can and buckle up as the Prometheus journeys to the edge of the universe to ask important existential questions about mankind. They aren't all answered in the film, but the movie's shared DNA with "Alien"and the slithery creatures the crew encounters will please longtime fans of Scott's first sci-fi masterpiece.

'Rock of Ages'

Warner Bros.

Box Office: $39 millionRotten Tomatoes: 41% RottenStoryline: This energetic musical — an adaptation of the Broadway production — follows two aspiring singers (Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta) as they navigate the hard-rock scene on the Sunset Strip in 1987 that is coming under fire from a religious group headed by Catherine Zeta-Jones. Tom Cruise stars as Stacee Jaxx, a rock god set to perform at the Bourbon Room despite the protests. Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand and Mary J. Blige costar in memorable numbers.Extras! Both the DVD and Blu-ray contain seven "Defining a Decade" featurettes, a "Legends of the Sunset Strip" featurette, and immediate access to select songs.We Say: This movie — featuring the arena-rock anthems of Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Guns N' Roses, Journey, Poison, Whitesnake and more — knows it is cheese, so viewers with fond memories of this era will be more receptive to the humor, like when Cruise's pompous rocker sings "I Want to Know What Love Is" to a Rolling Stone reporter's behind. Zeta-Jones, Baldwin and Russell also seem to be in on the joke, but leading lady Hough comes across as too earnest and seems to have dropped in from another decade entirely.

'The Raven'

Rogue Pictures

Box Office: $16 millionRotten Tomatoes: 22% RottenStoryline: This dark thriller follows the final days in the life of macabre writer Edgar Allan Poe (John Cusack) as Baltimore police investigate a series of murders that seem to be patterned after Poe's stories. Alice Eve costars as Poe's fiancée who becomes a target of the copycat killer, and Luke Evans plays the police chief who enlists Poe's help in solving the mystery.
Extras! The most interesting bonus feature — a Blu-ray exclusive — is "The Madness, Misery and Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe," which examines the continuing fascination with the legendary author.We Say: This seems to be the year of historical figures being roped into preposterous plots (see "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter"), but there are a few chills to be found in this gothic tale if you get beyond the familiar setup. For Poe fans looking for a historical biopic of their favorite writer here, quoth the reviewer, "Nevermore!"

'E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial' Blu-ray

Universal

Box Office: $435 millionRotten Tomatoes: 98% FreshStoryline: Steven Spielberg's 1982 blockbuster about a young boy named Elliot (Henry Thomas) who takes in an alien visitor after it's left behind by its spaceship still warms hearts as we root for Elliot to help E.T. "phone home." Dee Wallace plays Elliot's mom and a young Drew Barrymore appears as Elliot's sister.
Extras! The best supplements include the 50-minute "The Evolution and Creation of 'E.T.'" featurette with Spielberg talking about the story's origins, and the recent "'E.T.' Reunion" in which Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy reunite with the main cast and reminisce about how it changed all of their lives.We Say: It's important to note that this Blu-ray debut is a remastered version of the original theatrical movie — not the 2002 rerelease with controversial digital alterations. Spielberg regrets those changes (did you read that, George Lucas?), so what we have here is the original classic that we remember looking and sounding appropriately out of this world.

'What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?' Blu-ray

Warner Bros.

Box Office: $9 million (worldwide)Rotten Tomatoes: 89% FreshStoryline: Jane Hudson (Bette Davis) is a former child star who lives in a decaying Hollywood mansion with her sister Blanche (Joan Crawford), a movie star forced into retirement after a crippling accident left her in a wheelchair. When a TV movie marathon of Blanche's movies results in more fan mail being sent to the Hudson sisters' home, a jealous Jane torments her sister and tries to resurrect her childhood act while slowly losing her grasp on reality.
Extras! This Blu-ray debut packaged in a handsome Digibook with photos is packed with many vintage featurettes, including a 1967 BBC profile on Crawford and a 1994 TNT feature about Davis.We Say: Davis and Crawford had a long rivalry offscreen before teaming up for this 1960 campy horror show that reinvigorated their careers and earned Davis her last Oscar nomination. It's fascinating — and, frankly, scary — to watch Davis unravel on-screen as the older actress dons little-girl clothes and mentally regresses to a childlike state. If you are one of those people that wonders why older black-and-white titles need a Blu-ray upgrade, check out the inky blacks and deep shadows in the Hudson house and the look of pure madness in Bette Davis' eyes.

Oh Marvel, what hath thou wrought? Now that their shared universe of superheroes has raked in mad cheddar at the global box office, everyone is clamoring to create their own shared movieverse, be it with DC Comics characters or Tom Clancy novels.

In another example of movie synergy, Collider is reporting that there is an aster Egg on the new "Prometheus" Bu-ray which ties the "Alien" prequel to Ridley Scott's other sci-fi masterpiece "Blade Runner," albeit pretty flimsily.

Amid the special features on the disc fans will find a letter supposedly written by "Prometheus" corporate figurehead Peter Weyland (Guy Pearce) in which he clearly refers to his "mentor and long-departed competitor" which could only be Eldon Tyrell (Joe Turkel), CEO of the Tyrell Corporation in "Blade Runner"

Fortunately this is nothing rock solid, merely a little piece of fan service to create buzz for the Blu-ray by making news outlets write speculative stories… WHOOPS!

We are actually in London right at the moment for 20th Century Fox's "Prometheus" Blu-ray release event, and even the Blu-ray's producer Charles De Lauzirika said "if it's in the film it's canon, if it's not it's not canon." There you go, speculation over.

If you're like us, you really liked "Prometheus" but left the theater somewhat perplexed. Ridley Scott's sorta-prequel to "Alien" has gorgeous visuals, at least one squirm-inducing abortion sequence (shudder!) and first-rate performances but definitely leaves several questions regarding, well, almost everything unanswered.

At least a few of these blanks will be filled in now that one of the year's most imaginative yet maddening films is hitting Blu-ray and DVD. The home video release of "Prometheus" contains many behind-the-scenes featurettes and deleted scenes that dig deep into the film's convoluted sci-fi mythology and help paint a clearer picture of Scott's stunning vision ... while still retaining a sense of mystery, of course (you have to leave some things for the sequel!).

You may be chosen to take a peek behind the "Prometheus" curtain as we've got three Blu-ray combo packs set to leave our port and dock with three lucky winners. Enter our giveaway for your chance to blast off with this crew of deep space explorers as they go looking for answers about the origin of our species and find nothing but face-hugging trouble.

To enter, just shoot us an email at NextMovie@MTV.com and include your name, address, birthdate and be sure to copy and paste the following statement:

The contest runs from now until 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012. Entrants must be at least 13 years old and reside in the U.S. Click here for complete rules and further details.

As an added bonus, all entrants will be signed up for the fun and useful UpNext newsletter. As an UpNext subscriber, you'll receive weekly updates on the hottest releases, events and merch from the world of movies.

While Hollywood mourns the death of director Tony Scott, those hit hardest are his immediate family, including his wife Donna Wilson Scott, their two sons, and. perhaps most of all, his brother and business partner, Ridley Scott.

The elder Scott was in the middle of shooting his latest film "The Counselor" for 20th Century Fox when he was given the news of his younger brother's suicide, and now Variety reports that shooting on the picture has been suspended for at least the rest of the week.

Ridley Scott faced a startlingly similar situation three decades ago shortly after the success of "Alien" when, during pre-production on a big budget version of Frank Herbert's "Dune" for producer Dino De Laurentiis, his brother Frank died suddenly of cancer. Ridley was deeply affected by the death, and, in his depression decided he could not take on such a massive scale project. That 1980 version of sci-fi classic "Dune" was scrapped and later revived by De Laurentiis for a 1984 bomb helmed by David Lynch.

Ridley recently came off this summer's hit "Alien" prequel "Prometheus." His brother Tony was also in the process of revisiting "Top Gun" for an in-development sequel whose status has now been thrown into question.

Star Brad Pitt also worked with Tony Scott on the films "True Romance" and "Spy Game."

The Fine Films of Tony Scott

]]>http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/ridley-scott-tony-the-counselor/feed/0What Did Fassbender Say to the Engineer in 'Prometheus'? Now We Knowhttp://www.nextmovie.com/blog/what-did-david-say-engineer-prometheus/
http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/what-did-david-say-engineer-prometheus/#commentsThu, 21 Jun 2012 14:17:16 +0000http://www.nextmovie.com/?p=133762

Fox

Over the course of Ridley Scott's frustratingly ambiguous space epic "Prometheus" the only thing we really learn about the oddball android David (Michael Fassbender) or his motivations is that the dude liked to touch everything. A lot.

One of the biggest mysteries was *SPOILER* what exactly David uttered in unsubtitled Proto-Indo-European to the giant engineer douche who then goes on a pointless killing spree, but Stu Holmes over at The Bioscopist got the skinny directly from Dr. Anil Biltoo of the SOAS Language Centre in London.

The good doctor was not only the language consultant for the film, he also played the digital instructor giving David his afternoon lessons in the gibberish-y precursor to Sanskrit, Ancient Greek, and Latin from way-back in the day around 3700 BC.

"This man is here because he does not want to die. He believes you can give him more life."

Okay, well that makes sense. David is working on orders from billionaire eccentric Peter Weyland, who has hidden aboard the good ship Prometheus with the express hope of meeting a benign god who might extend his life so he may live out more fun-filled days with an IV drip and a catheter inside his old-ass body. Good idea.

Dr. Biltoo enticed us with the promise that a whole conversation between the engineer and David -possibly over tea and crumpets- took place but was cut for time.

"We’re all going to have to wait for the Director’s cut to see if the conversation between the Engineer and David – and there was indeed originally a conversation, not merely an utterance from David – yields any fruit," said Dr. Biltoo.

Check out the stars of 'Prometheus' at their premiere

]]>http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/what-did-david-say-engineer-prometheus/feed/0In Space No One Can See These 4 'Prometheus' Clipshttp://www.nextmovie.com/blog/prometheus-clips/
http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/prometheus-clips/#commentsThu, 07 Jun 2012 20:00:11 +0000http://www.nextmovie.com/?p=131779

Fox

Ridley Scott defined sci-fi terror with 1979's "Alien," so it's only fitting that the director would redefine the genre with "Prometheus," a prequel that takes many detours into rabbit holes of philosophical pondering.

What are they pondering, exactly? Only the nature and purpose of mankind's origin, that's all. No biggie. Oh, and there's monsters! This epic stars Charlize Theron, Noomi Rapace, Idris Elba and the amazing Michael Fassbender as a robot to be reckoned with.

1. Vickers apparently has an uptight person crammed up her behind.

2. "Paging Easter Island. You have left your giant head in the lobby."

3. Michael Fassbender gets into a philosophical debate over whether blondes have more fun.

4. Captain Janek's plans to get back to Hooters by 10 p.m. are dashed.

That's the question movie fans have been asking for months and we're going to answer it for you, once and for all. The answer, friends, is yes ... basically.

Scott has been adamant that while "Prometheus" "carries the DNA" of "Alien," it is an original piece of science fiction that delves into everything from biotechnology to artificial intelligence to the origins (and possible destruction) of mankind itself.

Those are lofty goals for a summer movie about the title spaceship star trekking to a hostile planet, but we're gonna walk you through the evidence that this is indeed an "Alien" prequel no matter how look at it. As Michael Fassbender's David says, "Big things have small beginnings."

Fox

Logos and Music

The first thing we noticed from the movie's initial teaser trailer is the "Prometheus" logo, prominently placed in the foreground of its collage of sci-fi awesomeness. It reveals itself one piece at a time in precisely the same deliberate hieroglyphic-style manner as the "Alien" opening credits did. You can hear echoes of eerie alarm sound effects used in the original movie as well.

According to Bleeding Cool, select pieces of Jerry Goldsmith's original 1979 score will be used in the film, which they believe is already incorporated into the recently dished-out soundtrack listing on Amazon. Other intriguing track titles on the album include "Infected," "Hammerpede," "Space Jockey" and "Birth."

This is all before we even get into the bevy of visual links seen in various stages of the "Prometheus" promo campaign …

Fox

Peter Weyland

When we recently viewed a 15-minute preview of the film in 3-D, one key sequence involved Guy Pearce under mounds of old age makeup as multibillionaire Peter Weyland.

Weyland-Yutani is the greedy corporation in "Alien" that sends the doomed Nostromo crew out to fetch the acidic starbeast they always had designs on capturing, taming and weaponizing, much to Ripley's disapproval.

Peter Weyland and his deep pockets are what kickstart the voyage of the Prometheus, but it's Charlize Theron's corporate viper Meredith Vickers who jeopardizes everyone on board. Oh, and the entire human race.

It was Weyland who kicked off the viral marketing campaign for the film, with a younger Pearce starring in a fake Ted Talk from 2023, wherein he oozes charisma and sleazebaggery while relating the myth of Greek titan Prometheus, who stole fire from Zeus and tossed it to us humans.

Some other familiar tech from James Cameron's "Aliens" can be glimpsed at the Easter egg-loaded Weyland Industries homepage, including a "Storm Rifle" — an early version of the Colonial Marines' Pulse Rifle — and the awesome Power Loader that Sigourney Weaver fights the Alien Queen with. Perhaps these items are just thrown onto the site as fan service, but we pray they wind up in the film somehow.

A similar wealthy industrialist figurehead was previously played by Lance Henriksen as Charles Bishop Weyland for the non-canon "Alien Vs. Predator" in 2004.

"The Prometheus is owned by an entrepreneur called Peter Weyland, and is played by Guy Pearce," says Scott. "That's the connection between the two films, and nothing more. 'Prometheus' is a new film, a new world, and is full of new ideas. And of course new monsters as well."

There might be some new oogie boogies in there, Ridley, but there are definitely a few more connections to sort through, including …

Fox

David

From that icy synthetic voice to the milky blood in his veins, Fassbender's David is every bit as beguiling and potentially threatening a corporate tool as his predecessors, Ash (Ian Holm) in "Alien," Bishop (Henriksen) in "Aliens" and Call (Winona Ryder) in "Alien Resurrection." He even follows those movies' android naming scheme: A, B, C, D.

A chilling, Apple-esque viral promo ad from "Weyland Industries" was released featuring Fassbender addressing the camera as he simulates various emotional states, including crying. Supposedly Fassbender also used Scott's "Blade Runner" Replicants as a frame of reference for his soul-bot performance, as well as Olympic diver Greg Louganis.

David functions as housesitter for the Prometheus while the crew is in hyper sleep, but even though he is made to serve man he just might develop his own artificially intelligent agenda.

The Derelict Ship

The crew visits the Juggernaut, an enormous crescent-shaped spacecraft that will appear onscreen as enormous as the Empire State building. Fans of the first film recognized this immediately as the derelict spacecraft the Nostromo crew explored in the original 1979 movie. Designed by Swiss evil genius artist H.R. Giger, the ship also made its way into the director's cut of 1986's "Aliens" when Newt and her family stumble on a facehugger and wind up infecting a whole colony with Alienitus.

Spoilers be damned, Fox has chosen to feature money shots in the trailer of the Juggernaut going down in a big explosion that sends it hurtling back to the planet's surface, so we can pretty much guarantee that no matter what happens to Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) or any of her teammates, they will leave this ship as derelict as Ripley and company found it.

Who is inside that ship and why they're heading to Earth is another question, but we know at least one of them is …

The Space Jockey

Along with the above alien ship, this big creep is the biggest bullseye in the "Is it or isn't it an 'Alien' prequel?" derby.

Straight from the original film, where he sat in his chair lifeless as a statue with his ribcage burst open from the inside, the man affectionately known in geek circles as The Space Jockey is seen bright-as-day in the new trailer strapping into his chair/final resting place. We will finally figure out who he is and what came out of him, though images seem to indicate that it might merely be a suit or shell concealing an even more ominous figure.

Xenomorphs?

This is the biggest question mark of this whole enterprise, whether or not they'll include the iconic beasts that put the "Alien" in the "Alien" franchise?

"No. Absolutely not," Scott told Dark Horizons emphatically. "They squeezed it dry. He (the Xenomorph) did very well. He survived, he's now in Disneyland in Orlando, and no way am I going back there. How did he end up in Disneyland? I saw him in Disneyland, Jesus Christ!".

H.R. Giger's terrifyingly phallic creature is indeed an animatronic fixture for children to enjoy at Disneyworld's MGM tour, and it's true that Fox basically strip-mined any last ounces of terror or enjoyment we could glean from it with the "AVP" movies.

Scott also confirmed that original "Alien" designer Giger is "doing a little bit of work for me. He's been doing some murals, big murals, which we'll see in almost one of the first chambers we encounter when we land where we're gonna go."

"We present the evolution of these nasty bits and pieces of creature evolution in a logical and biological fashion," says Scott in the press notes. Adds Special Make-Up Effects artist Neal Scanlan: "Each stage of a creature's life cycle has a distinctive purpose. For our xenobiology, we brought in new elements that are not necessarily backward from those in Alien, but are of a similar DNA. Many of Ridley's references are derived from nature – plants, vegetables, sea creatures and other animals. Nothing is invented."

In a "Paul is dead" moment, Fox released a scary chunk of audio (via Bleeding Cool) which, when played backwards, reveals what sounds like one truly demonic medical operation. There's a lot of flappy, squishy sounds and some dude screaming "Cut it off, cut it off, cut it off!" and "You’re making it worse, it's tightening, it's breaking my arm!"

From the sounds of it, this might just be scary enough to have the impact of the original's legendary "chestburster" scene.

So Is It An 'Alien' Prequel Or What?

Duh. No need for a debate. No need to bring in Perry Mason. This case is closed.

Well, basically. Having not seen the whole enchilada yet, we must confess that Scott and his screenwriters Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof may have built in a few curveballs which detour wildly from the "Alien" mythology. That is, after all, what makes "Prometheus" so much more enticing than your average prequel: the glimmer of a truly original summer blockbuster.

So spring that trap, fellas, and give us the thrill of the unexpected once again. Our chests are bursting with anticipation.

Just how great is Ridley Scott's already-iconic trailer for "Prometheus?" It's so great that even if you take out all the visuals and replace them entirely with construction paper cutouts and drawings, it's still one of the most powerful trailers in recent memory.

How do we know this? Because someone actually did just that and we've got the results right here for you to marvel over.

And not only have the folks form the YouTube collective The Receptionist done the "Prometheus" trailer justice, some might even argue that they've managed to improve on the original by allowing fans to focus on things like the expert pacing, the chilling audio and the amazing use of tiny paper puppets.

Still skeptical? Check out the all-paper "Prometheus" trailer, courtesy of indieWire, and see for yourself:

Cameron Diaz might be best-known for her work in comedies like "There's Something About Mary," "Shrek" and, most recently, "Bad Teacher," but one would be remiss to forget she's held her own with edgier material too, including "Vanilla Sky" and "Any Given Sunday."

Diaz, according to Deadline, will be getting a great new shot at proving her muster in the serious film biz, as she's just been attached to Ridley Scott's impressive cast for "The Counselor."

The film will be based upon author Cormac McCarthy's script and will feature Scott's "Prometheus" star Michael Fassbender in the lead as an attorney who muddies up his clean reputation and endangers his formerly respectable life by involving himself with cocaine trade.

Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem (who won an Oscar for his last McCarthy match-up, "No Country for Old Men") and Penelope Cruz are also attached to star, with Diaz playing the "strong supporting role" of Malkina, the lover of Bardem's Reiner. Angelina Jolie was originally rumored to be in talks for the project — potentially for the exact role Diaz has snagged — but those murmurs have since subsided.

If Diaz is hoping to shed some of her comedic skin, "The Counselor" may just be the ideal opportunity for her to do so.

The latest piece of the "Prometheus" puzzle has arrived online, and it's a must-see.

The new clip, "Happy Birthday David," is the sort of thing companies play internally to school employees on the dangers of sexual harassment; in this case, Michael Fassbender's android David explains who he is, what he does and why he's the perfect employee in what's likely a promo video for Weyland Corporation.

David blends in perfectly, he assures us, despite the fact that he's wearing the face of one of the sexiest men alive. He can also play chess with himself, he enjoys the delights of fresh flowers, and he can do things that humans "might find… distressing or unethical." Tell us more!

Over tinkering music, David is being questioned by, one might guess, Peter Weyland (Guy Pearce). As The Playlist points out, Fassbender's soft-voiced 'bot and his list of things that make him sad make him sound like another famous robot, HAL 9000 of "2001." The shot of David playing chess with himself also alludes to HAL's chess-playing skills.

Although he says he does not feel human feelings, David looks solemn when listing what makes him sad. ("War, poverty, cruelty, unnecessary violence" are his turn-offs, in case you're keeping track.) Clever programming or a robot ready to go rogue?

Details about Ridley Scott's new sci-fi film is doled out in crumbs, and it looks like the video of Peter Weyland's TED Talk was just the first of many that Fox hopes will go viral to tantalize finicky "Alien" fans. What do you think? Is it working?

]]>http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/michael-fassbender-android-prometheus-teaser/feed/0Could Brad and Angelina be Appearing Together in the Next Ridley Scott Film?http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/the-counselor-casting-brad-pitt/
http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/the-counselor-casting-brad-pitt/#commentsThu, 12 Apr 2012 21:29:01 +0000http://www.nextmovie.com/?p=122713

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This June, director Ridley Scott is going to debut "Prometheus," the long awaited and eagerly anticipated sequel to his classic 1979 sci-fi/horror epic "Alien." It's a movie that fans have been hoping for and dreaming about for over three decades.

But once "Prometheus" arrives, the question becomes, what can Scott possibly do to top it?

Well, how about a movie starring Brad Pitt, Angelina and Jolie and Javier Bardem?

Yeah, that should just about do it.

The film in question is called "The Counselor," and while none of the three stars has yet officially signed on, according to Deadline at least Pitt and Bardem seem to be getting pretty darn close.

And that would mean an all-star line-up like no other, especially since Michael Fassbender is already on board to play the title character, a lawyer who gets a little too clever for his own good when he decides to dabble in the business side of the drug world; Pitt and Bardem would apparently be playing a couple of the baddies he runs into.

Add in the juicy possibility of Jolie giving fans the full Brangelina experience, "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" style, and it looks as though "Prometheus" might have competition for the title of Scott's most anticipated new movie after all. Kick ass.

The news is not officially official just yet, but fans across the various districts are already up in arms about it. The hashtag #WeWantGaryRoss made its way into today's trending topics on Twitter as a result of the story.

If it is true, and Ross will not return for the second film, we're left with a very burning question: Who could take his place?

Ross' will be big shoes to fill by whomever steps in, of course, so we thought we'd go ahead and size up some of the potential candidates for the job.

Steven Soderbergh

We've already gotten a taste of what director Steven Soderbergh can bring to the "Hunger Games" fold, as he did second unit work on the first installment and brought forth that nail-biting revolution in District 11 sequence. So, we have little doubt that Soderbergh could ably carry on the tone, message and feel of the franchise. Our friends at Hollywood Crush dig him as the next in line as well. Only problem is, he's got his hands full with "The Side Effects."

Danny Boyle

When it comes to the emotional and social turmoil existent in "Catching Fire," there's almost no one who could triumph like "127 Hours" and "Slumdog Millionaire" director Danny Boyle. He's a craftsman of human circumstance, one might say. Plus, hey, he's already got ample experience working (successfully) alongside Simon Beaufoy, who's written the script. Boyle could definitely continue the tradition of having credible and thoughtful filmmakers involved with "The Hunger Games."

Peter Jackson

If he could squeeze it into his very busy "The Hobbit" schedule, director Peter Jackson would be an excellent choice for "Catching Fire." Not only is he a proven book-to-film aficionado by way of "The Lord of the Rings" series, but he's also an actor's director and he can seriously grapple with the necessary CGI for the film. However, money was among the issues with Ross, and we can't imagine Jackson wouldn't cost Lionsgate double whatever Ross wanted.

Summit

David Slade

Once considered one of the top three candidates for the job of directing "The Hunger Games," David Slade could be one of the key filmmakers considered for the job of directing "Catching Fire." He's got experience to speak of in stepping into franchise-land, having directed movie three of the "Twilight" series, "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse." Plus, when we talked to Slade many moons ago about the possibility of directing "Catching Fire" (long before the news of Ross' departure), he wasn't exactly opposed to the idea. Seeing how "Eclipse" was the most triangle-y installment to the "Twilight Saga," the whole Team Peeta/Team Gale concept would be completely familiar territory for Slade. But is it too familiar?

Rupert Sanders

New British director Rupert Sanders has become the talk of Tinseltown thanks to what is poised to be a massively awesome debut with "Snow White and the Huntsman."It's his first film, but already we can tell Sanders has something special to offer the world of film, particularly where extreme visuals are concerned. And "Catching Fire" will need someone with resonant vision to tackle the extensive tick-tock arena. From what we've seen of "Snow White and the Huntsman" so far, he could certainly fit that mold.

Roadside Attractions

Debra Granik

Perhaps "Winter's Bone" director Debra Granik should be considered in the mix as well. Not only would she bring some lady power to the franchise, but she also helped Jennifer Lawrence nab her first Oscar nomination. She's worked with tough times material before and knows how to present subtle strength in a reluctant heroine. In other words, Granik could put some unique heart into the story of "Catching Fire" and flesh out some of the most delicious personality details of Katniss and the gang.

Christopher Nolan

"The Dark Knight Rises" director Christopher Nolan really knows how to infuse the bigger picture into visually stunning movies. Not to mention, he's got je ne sais quoi with franchise material and he's an accomplished writer as well. He could easily transform the "Catching Fire" script into something large. What's questionable, however, is whether he could echo the sentiment of girl power "The Hunger Games" has.

Ridley Scott

When it comes to gritty action movies, no one can deny the power of director Ridley Scott. And he's already proven his muster in combat-arena-style films with "Gladiator." Scott's one of the busiest filmmakers in Hollywood, though, so the chances of nailing him for "Catching Fire" are probably pretty slim.

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David Yates

It'd be a crime against the Capitol to overlook the possibility that "Harry Potter" (sequels five through eight) director David Yates could be considered for the job of directing "Catching Fire." Yates, like many of these directors, knows a thing or two about stepping into an established franchise and carrying the weight of expectation on through. A major obstacle to his involvement, though, would be the fact that he's got "Your Voice in My Head" on deck for summer production.

Brad Bird

Director Brad Bird really impressed with his killer action sequences in "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol" and proved he can and will make a successful transition from the world of animation. Who knows? Maybe, just maybe, "Catching Fire" would be a good fit for his next move.

So, tributes, which director would you like to see step up to light up "Catching Fire?" Target your thoughts to the comments below!

Amanda Bell is a young adult book-to-film enthusiast and has made a name for herself as a fan-friendly, informative and dependable source. In addition to being the District 14 columnist for NextMovie, she runs the popular Twilight Examiner column. Keep tabs on her on Twitter.

Sometimes the more you know about a movie, the less excited you are to see it. Explanation and revelation often has a way of taking all the fun out of a film that's been shrouded in secrecy. But unlike a lot of highly anticipated mystery flicks, the more we learn about "Prometheus," the more we can't wait for June 8 to finally get here.

Ridley Scott's sci-fi epic marks the A-list director's return to the genre that made him a household name with "Alien" and "Blade Runner." At this point, we don't care if "Prometheus" is an "Alien" prequel or not (it is, sort of, but whatever) — we just want to see it.

In Greek mythology, Prometheus was a Titan who felt the wrath of Zeus for giving mankind the secret of fire. In modern day movie mythology, on the other hand, Ridley Scott is doing everything in his power to make sure mankind doesn't learn the secrets of his upcoming sci-fi epic "Prometheus."

Until now, that is.

Yes, Scott finally debuted the brand new, full length trailer for "Prometheus" at WonderCon over the weekend and while the crafty director still wouldn't answer any questions about the film, the clip pretty much speaks for itself. Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron and Idris Elba visiting a mysterious alien world is awesome enough -- and realizing it's actually an "Alien" world is even better.

Add in the fact that according to The Hollywood Reporter, Scott teased that "if we're lucky, there'll be a second part," and it's no wonder this trailer is already burning up the internet. Prometheus would be so proud:

We will most certainly indulge a new look at Ridley Scott's sci-fi epic.

Guy Pearce appears in an extended "Prometheus" teaser as technology mogul Peter Weyland (hmm!), a key speaker at a technology convention known as TED 2023. TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is described as a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, and Weyland has a rather radical one: he intends to build the first convincingly humanoid robotic system.

And you know where that's headed: Parker (Yaphet Kotto) one day exclaiming, "Ash is a goddamn robot!" in the original "Alien" movie (which, in this timeline, has yet to happen).

Ridley Scott and screenwriter Damon Lindelof have done a great job in taking steps to create a complete world for "Prometheus" (and expanding the "Alien" mythology) with conjuring up the TED Blog, where you can read more about the organization and Weyland's career as a driven and controversial industrialist (whose company, Weyland Industries, will one day team up with the mysterious Ms. Yutani to create Weyland-Yutani, "The Company" of the "Alien" films).

Get ready to build a better world and check out this TED Talk from the future. "Prometheus" opens June 8.

The plot of Ridley Scott's 'Prometheus' has been kept fairly secret since it's appeared on our radar like a looming planet in the sky. Is it a sequel to the seminal sci-fi film 'Alien'? Is it a prequel? Is it just in the same universe? What the frak?

Scott's spilled a bean or two recently, and while it's only a small detail, we're sucking it up like a hungry face-hugger. The first link between the two movies is Guy Pearce's character, a businessman who owns the ship Prometheus.

"When the first 'Alien' movie and 'Blade Runner' were made, I thought that in the near future the world will be owned by large companies. This is why we have the Tyrell Corporation in 'Blade Runner', and Weyland-Yutani in 'Alien'. They sent the Nostromo spaceship.

"The Prometheus is owned by an entrepreneur called Peter Weyland, and is played by Guy Pearce. That's the connection between the two films, and nothing more. 'Prometheus' is a new film, a new world, and is full of new ideas. And of course new monsters as well."

Wouldn't it be glorious and insane if Scott threw in a connection to the "Blade Runner" sequel, too? Serious fans of "Alien" and "Blade Runner" are already aghast (although deadly curious!) about these sort-of sequels. Some of us are even skeptical that the "Blade Runner" sequel will be made at all, although it was recently reported that Harrison Ford is in talks to reprise his career-defining role as Rick Deckard.

In any case, we're wondering if Pearce's role is the only thing that "Alien" and "Prometheus" has in common. Maybe a Jones 2.0?

Michael Fassbender's penis is having a huge year and it seems like scheduling the actor is going to get even harder in the near future.

The star, who became a household name with his leading role as a tortured sex addict in Steve McQueen's 2011 drama "Shame," is starting 2012 with two big projects on the horizon.

Rope of Silicon reports that the Irish actor will star in Ridley Scott's "The Counselor," the script for which was penned by Cormac McCarthy.

The script, which is rumored to have the same gritty, ultraviolent feel audiences have come to expect from the "No Country For Old Men" author, centers on a lawyer (Fassbender), who gets in over his head when he tries his hand at the drug game. While no studio is currently backing the project, big stars including Brad Pitt, Bradley Cooper, and Jeremy Renner are being courted to play the movie's villain.

While filming begins May 1, just over a month before Scott's "Prometheus," also starring Fassbender, hits theaters, the actor has found time to tackle yet another leading role. According to IFTN, Fassbender will take on the lead role in "Public Enemies" scribe Ronan Bennett's "Cuchulainn," the story of a mythical Celtic warrior of the same name.

Until filming starts on the flick, Fassbender can be seen in "Prometheus," due in theaters June 8, and Steve McQueen's "Twelve Years a Slave," scheduled for release in 2013.

UPDATE: Alcon Entertainment is denying the reports of Harrison Ford in talks for a "Blade Runner" sequel.

"It is absolutely patently false that there has been any discussion about Harrison Ford being in 'Blade Runner,'" Andrew Kosove from Alcon told Deadline. "To be clear, what we are trying to do with Ridley now is go through the painstaking process of trying to break the back of the story, figure out the direction we're going to take the movie and find a writer to work on it. The casting of the movie could not be further from our minds at this moment."

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When Alcon Entertainment's plans to craft a new "Blade Runner" prequel/sequel/Replicant were announced nearly a year ago, it sent sci-fi fans abuzz with concern about how they could possibly recreate the 1982 masterpiece's heady mix of cyberpunk noir. Now a key puzzle piece may be falling into place: Harrison Ford.

In a "take it with a grain of salt" move, Twitch is reporting that Ford has "entered into early talks" for what will be a direct-sequel, which actually raises more questions than it answers.

Probably the trickiest thing about bringing the actor back into the existentialist android fold is that original-and-current director Ridley Scott has gone out of his way to make it clear that the origami unicorn implications at the end mean that Ford's Rick Deckard is himself a Replicant. Whether he comes with the standard four-year lifespan of a Replicant is another story, and even if he's a perma-droid would a robot really look like a 70-year-old man? Also, do robots get arthritis?

It's possible they could cheat it by having Ford play the guy who designed the robot in his likeness, or go all "Tron: Legacy" and have the actor de-aged via motion capture. Oh the possibilities!

Whatever direction they decide to go in, this is at best classified as "rumor" since producer Andrew Kosove already stated, "if you're asking me will this movie have anything to do with Harrison Ford, the answer is no."

The "Indiana Jones" legend has been cagey in interviews about the subject and Scott has been mum as well. In the words of Captain Bryant, "This is a bad one, the worst yet. I need the old blade runner, I need your magic."

There's an art to making a good teaser trailer; you have to provide just enough to the audience to get them excited without giving away the whole kit and kaboodle too early. You know, why pay for the movie milk when you've got the trailer cow for free? Or... something.

So, yeah, it's an art. But luckily for all of us, director Ridley Scott is an artist like no other, which helps explain why his one minute teaser clip for "Prometheus" is about the coolest damn thing you're ever likely to see.

And if the trailer is to be believed, maybe the last.

The story of "Prometheus," which is set to arrive on June 8, has been shrouded in secrecy ever since Scott began working on it, oh, thirty some odd years ago. But while the legendary director of the sci-fi classics "Alien" and "Blade Runner" has been coy, now that we've seen the trailer, there can be no doubt that the rumors are true: "Prometheus" is definitely some kind of prequel to "Alien."

Not that the trailer actually gives much away, other than the fact that bad things are going to happen in space to a bunch of star actors like Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender and Charlize Theron (not to mention Idris Elba, who seems to be sporting a really fine mustache). But one listen to the signature sound of that hair-raising "Alien" shriek and you know that this summer, everybody in the theater is going to be able to hear you scream.

Here it is, the first trailer for "Prometheus," courtesy of Apple Trailers:

When it comes to new movie trailers, there are trailers and then there are trailers, you know? But rarely is there a trailer for a trailer.

Until now.

If you're one of the gazillions of fans eagerly awaiting your first look at director Ridley Scott's wildly anticipated "Alien" prequel (?) "Prometheus," well, we have good news and bad news for you. The good news? There's a brand new trailer for "Prometheus!" The bad news? It's actually a trailer for the real trailer, which won't be out for three more days. Sounds like someone is playing with fire.

Of course, "Prometheus," which marks Scott's first return to the world of "Alien" since he created the original 1979 classic, isn't just chock full of superstar acting talent like Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce and Idris Elba; it's also one of the most secretive projects since the development of the A-bomb.

So at this point, anything we can get at all about "Prometheus is worth a few squees, even if they're tempered by having to wait another 72 excruciating hours for the full trailer treatment. Check it out, courtesy of Apple Trailers — and get ready for the tease of your life:

Ever since Ridley Scott announced his upcoming sci-fi epic "Prometheus," fans have been scrambling for scraps of information, trying to learn all they can about the movie that may or may not be a prequel to Scott's 1979 classic "Alien."

You can finally relax, because thanks to our brand-new guide, the whole world is about to be clued in on Everything We Know About "Prometheus" So Far. It may not quite be the gift of fire, but trust us: When it comes to movies, this is the next best thing.

Release Date: June 8, 2012

Star Power: One thing "Prometheus" is definitely not lacking is star power, as arguably the hottest actor on the planet -- Michael Fassbender -- anchors an all-star lineup that includes international sensation Noomi Rapace as well as Idris Elba, Guy Pearce and Oscar winner Charlize Theron. Everybody in Hollywood would jump at the chance to work with Scott; these are just the ones who asked "how high."

Next Factor: When the original "Alien" hit theaters over three decades ago, it turned Sigourney Weaver into an overnight superstar and introduced the world to the idea of the action heroine. So European actress Noomi Rapace has some pretty big shoes to fill in her first American leading role. But given her mesmerizing performance as Lisbeth Salander in the Swedish adaptation of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" -- not to mention her upcoming costarring role in "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" -- we think Rapace is poised to become the Next Big Thing, not just here, but around the world. Ripley would be so proud.

Behind the Camera: Well, it's Ridley Scott, so there's not a whole lot more that needs to be said. But just to cover our bases: Scott's previous sci-fi efforts, "Alien" and "Blade Runner," are considered by many to be arguably the two best sci-fi movies of all time. He's also been nominated for the Best Director Oscar three times ("Thelma and Louise," "Gladiator," "Black Hawk Down") so ... yeah, he's pretty much reason enough to see the movie.

Backstory: The "Alien" franchise has a long and (mostly) distinguished history. With Scott leaving after the first film, the sequels were done by James Cameron (whatever happened to that guy?), David Fincher (whoever that is) and Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Best Director nominee for "Amelie"). But once the whole "Alien vs. Predator" thing happened, the studio was like, let's ... dial this back a bit. That opened the door for Scott to return with "Prometheus," a project that has been in gestation even longer than that alien larva in your abdomen. It took several more years to get the movie off the ground, but now it's finally here. Whatever it is.

In a Nutshell: This is usually the part where we tell you about the plot, but since nobody except Scott seems to know what it's about, we can't exactly do that. Here's what we know, though: While Scott is being cagey about whether or not this is an "Alien" prequel, comments by the cast in media interviews suggest that "Prometheus," while not a direct prequel, will take place in the "Alien" universe and detail events such as the life and death of the Space Jockey seen at the beginning of "Alien." The name "Prometheus" refers to the ancient legend of the being who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity, only to be punished by Zeus with eternal torture. We're guessing that name is no coincidence -- meaning you can expect to see a lot of on-screen punishment for the discovery Rapace and her crew unleash on the universe.

The Buzz: Fans have been waiting over three decades to see what Scott might do with another "Alien" film. Plus, considering the "Alien" franchise was once one of the most prestigious in film, the possibility that Scott can restore it to its former glory and pave the way for more high concept, ass-kicking sci-fi art/action films is almost too good to even hope for. Add in international buzz over Rapace and Fassbender and you have a film poised to become not just a fan favorite, but an international phenomenon.

Why We're Psyched: Pretty much everything we mentioned above applies to us as well -- hey, we're big movie fans, first and foremost -- but we're also really curious to see what Scott does with 3-D. A lot was (rightly) made over 69-year-old Martin Scorsese's raving about his 3-D experience with "Hugo," but Scott is actually older (74!) and has also been waxing poetic about the power of 3-D cinema. His protégé James Cameron might have set the bar high with "Avatar," but if anything can beat that mark, it's Scott and "Prometheus." Grab your glass, because this is going to be an experience you won't want to miss.

Gerard Butler is dead-set on proving to the world he's more than just a pretty face with a great set of abs and an accent that makes our knees feel a little weak when we hear it.

It turns out he's also been doing this whole acting thing for a while now too.

Deadline reports that the Scottish star is teaming up with "Blade Runner" director Ridley Scott on a new project based on the life of former British army officer Simon Mann, who assembled a team of mercenaries to kill Equatorial Guinea's president Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo as part of a coup d'etat in 2004.

Mann was unsuccessful in his attempts and was jailed for three years in a Zimbabwean prison before being extradited to Equatorial Guinea, where he was sentenced to 34 years in prison. Mann eventually received a presidential pardon in 2009, backed by Margaret Thatcher's son, Mark.

Scott will direct and produce the film through his company, Scott Free Productions, while Robert Edwards will pen the screenplay. Butler will star as Mann.

Butler has a few more roles up his sleeve for the coming year, starring opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones in "Playing the Field" and reprising his voice-acting role as Stoick the Vast in "How to Train Your Dragon 2."

Cleopatra isn't the only strong woman from the history books that Angelina Jolie is looking to play.

The "Tourist" beauty is contemplating taking the title role of "Gertrude Bell," a biopic about "the female Lawrence of Arabia," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

With a passion for archeology and languages, Gertrude Bell wrote about her adventures in the Ottoman Empire and desert kingdoms, traveling in not only a predominantly male world but one whose culture and religion was very alien to the British Empire.

During World War I, Bell worked for British Intelligence and was a key asset to England's dismantling of the Ottoman Empire and founding of Iraq.

"Gertrude" is currently set up at Scott Free Productions, with Ridley Scott mulling over directing the film himself -- it's one of three potential projects he's looking to tackle after he wraps his sci-fi epic, "Prometheus," which opens June 8, 2012.

Angelina Jolie is currently attached to many projects but hasn't appeared on screen since last year's "The Tourist." Besides "Gertrude Bell" and "Cleopatra," she's also got Disney's "Maleficent" and a sequel to "Salt" in the works. One thing's for sure -- we can probably be sure that we'll never, ever see her as Lara Croft ever again.

Jolie's directorial debut, "In the Land of Blood and Honey," opens Dec. 23.

We've been huge fans of edit master Kees van Dijkhuizen's chops at summarizing a brilliant director's filmography in less than three minutes, including past outings with Wes Anderson, Michel Gondry, Guy Ritchie and Baz Luhrmann.

Now his "[the films of]" series is taking on a serious living legend, a filmmaker with a painter's eye and a commercial director's zeal to sell every single image as the most insanely beautiful thing you've ever seen: Sir. Ridley Scott.

Besides having made such stunning, game-changing classics like "Alien," "Blade Runner" and "Gladiator," Scott has one of the most extensive filmographies covered in this series, dating back to his "Barry Lyndon"-esque debut film "The Duellists" in 1977.

It's easy to see from watching the collage of frenetic action and visual overload how the Brit has had a defining influence on everything from music videos to today's imagery-intense stylists like Michael Bay, Christopher Nolan and Zack Snyder. With every shot a 77-layer cake of detail, his movies continue to be feasts for the eyes.